COPY-OK Senator Harry Coates Arrested For Driving While Intoxicated

An Oklahoma senator was arrested in Texas on Thursday night on a complaint of driving while intoxicated.

Republican Senator Harry Coates of Seminole was booked into the Grayson County Jail for DWI by the Howe Police Department. They said they pulled over the 63-year-old on Highway 75, just south of Sherman, after another driver called to report a possible intoxicated driver.

"Our officers sat up and ended up getting behind a vehicle that was having difficulty maintaining a single lane," said Howe Police Chief Carl Hudman.

Officers said they saw Coates driving erratically and that Coates showed signs of intoxication when they pulled him over. The police report said Coates he was unable to complete the field sobriety test.

"He had difficulty, extreme difficulty with sobriety testing, so that was not completed," said Hudman.

5/16/2014 related Story: Oklahoma Senator Arrested For DWI In Texas

Hudman said Coates agreed to have his blood drawn to test his alcohol level.

"Senator consented to a blood draw. He was taken to a local hospital where it was conducted and then he was booked into the Grayson County jail," Hudman explained.

News 9 went to Senator Coates' office at the state capitol for comment, but he was not there. His staff said they did not know about his arrest until we informed them.

Earlier the same day of his arrest, the Oklahoma Senate introduced a resolution honoring Coates for his service and wishing him well in his future endeavors. He received a plaque, which we found still sitting on his office desk.

Jail records showed Coates bonded out the same day he was booked on $1,500 bail. News 9 called and emailed Senator Coates for comment, but so far we have not heard back from him.

On Coates' senate website, it said he has authored bills in the past to toughen the penalties for drunk driving.

Howe Police said Coates told them during booking that Thursday was his last day in office. The Oklahoma senate calendar shows there are still two weeks left in the legislative session.